1997 passat V6

I'm having problems w/ my 97 passat,it runs for about 20/30 minutes and dies on me,it just dies. try to starts ,the engine turns but nothing. Change the coil and still the same after I let it cool off for about 10/20 minutes it starts again and goes for another 20/30 minutes . When it first happened it was once or twice a day now it;s every half hour or so .My son drove it till he ran out of gas and after thats when it started to happen. Can anyone help me I appreciate it. Thanks..

1997 passat VR6..luv it...

When it won't start can you hear the fuel pump running for a couple of seconds when you turn the key to on?

Oh!, I was thinking of some kind of relay . or some type of sensor that have anything to do with the temperature I also mix the anti-freeze same color . ( not much )

Oh!, I was thinking of some kind of relay . or some type of sensor that have anything to do with the temperature I also mix the anti-freeze same color . ( not much )
I hear no noise coming from the gas pump when I'm having this problem ..

On TDI Passat, relay 109 usually go bad.

It's like 30$ at the stealership, so try it out (if you have one, it's black and has "109" in white on it).

Good luck!

On TDI Passat, relay 109 usually go bad.

It's like 30$ at the stealership, so try it out (if you have one, it's black and has "109" in white on it).

Good luck!

Thanks, I realy appreciate your help, I'll try it and let you guys know . Where is it located?

On TDI Passat, relay 109 usually go bad.

It's like 30$ at the stealership, so try it out (if you have one, it's black and has "109" in white on it).

Good luck!

Found no 109 relay.. any other relay? Thanks...

When it won't start can you hear the fuel pump running for a couple of seconds when you turn the key to on?

Sorry for the delay but I could not hear the fuel pump working even if when I'm not having this problem , I can hear only when the engine is running..Thanks for your reply...

Next time it is running properly, turn it off then turn the key back to on (not starting) & note the hum ou hear for a couple of seconds. That is the fuel pump hum I am referring to. Yes, I am suspecting the ECM power supply relay (very common to die on Diesels known as relay 109). On you car it is in position #3, top row of main relay panel third from the left. Next time it dies note if this relay gets hot.

Next time it is running properly, turn it off then turn the key back to on (not starting) & note the hum ou hear for a couple of seconds. That is the fuel pump hum I am referring to. Yes, I am suspecting the ECM power supply relay (very common to die on Diesels known as relay 109). On you car it is in position #3, top row of main relay panel third from the left. Next time it dies note if this relay gets hot.

Thanks Boschmann, I realy appreciate your help. I tried to hear and no hum . Do you think it could be something wrong w/ the fuel pump?

I try not to go by that printed number on the top, position #3 is the ECM power supply (top row, third from the left). After running for a while & when the car dies, that is when you need to feel the relay. You can try tapping it & see if it restarts. Also that is when you need to listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to on.

I try not to go by that printed number on the top, position #3 is the ECM power supply (top row, third from the left). After running for a while & when the car dies, that is when you need to feel the relay. You can try tapping it & see if it restarts. Also that is when you need to listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to on.
I have the old relay here # 191 941 595....
>PA66-GF30< .. could it be it. Sould I get a new one?

When I look up that number it comes back as an auxillary light relay (from a Vanagon). The original relay in position #3 should have been black & had the #109 printed in white on the top. It sounds like someone switched it with what thy had available. Get a new relay from the dealer, it has been redesigned & is part number 1J0 906 381A. They are only about $18.

When I look up that number it comes back as an auxillary light relay (from a Vanagon). The original relay in position #3 should have been black & had the #109 printed in white on the top. It sounds like someone switched it with what thy had available. Get a new relay from the dealer, it has been redesigned & is part number 1J0 906 381A. They are only about $18.

Went to VW dealer and this # is not the same, terminals are different from the # I gave you. So I took the car to Auto-zone and they check came up w/ code # 0411 (secondary air injector malfunction ) and 0725 ( engine speed sensor circuit ) .I have no idea what they are or what to look for or where . Can you help me ? Thank you...

I used the dealer system to look up that number, maybe I did something wrong. Just ask you dealer to look up which position your ECM power supply relay is in and which relay is the correct part number. As for the codes, the 411 won't cause your symptom but the 725 sure could. The SAI code means the SAI pump is working but the air is not getting into the engine (at least the O2 sensor can't tell the difference). Usually caused by bad vacuum or pressure hoses between the pump, valve & engine. The SAI pump is the large plastic motor/pump in front of the engine, beind the radiator. The 1" corrugated hose from the air filter housing goes to it. The 725 code could be the stalling culprit. The sensor is located on the frontside of the engine just to the left (of car) of the oil filter housing. It is well hidden, right where the engine & trnsmission meet, near the flywheel area (that is what it is sensing). It has a short harness that comes off it & goes to a connector. It has three wires. Unfortunately I don't know of foolproof test for it & since it seems intermittent you probably wont be able to catch it acting up. Based on that code coming up I would replace it. If you would still look up that relay as I'd like to know where my info is wrong.

I used the dealer system to look up that number, maybe I did something wrong. Just ask you dealer to look up which position your ECM power supply relay is in and which relay is the correct part number. As for the codes, the 411 won't cause your symptom but the 725 sure could. The SAI code means the SAI pump is working but the air is not getting into the engine (at least the O2 sensor can't tell the difference). Usually caused by bad vacuum or pressure hoses between the pump, valve & engine. The SAI pump is the large plastic motor/pump in front of the engine, beind the radiator. The 1" corrugated hose from the air filter housing goes to it. The 725 code could be the stalling culprit. The sensor is located on the frontside of the engine just to the left (of car) of the oil filter housing. It is well hidden, right where the engine & trnsmission meet, near the flywheel area (that is what it is sensing). It has a short harness that comes off it & goes to a connector. It has three wires. Unfortunately I don't know of foolproof test for it & since it seems intermittent you probably wont be able to catch it acting up. Based on that code coming up I would replace it. If you would still look up that relay as I'd like to know where my info is wrong.

My mistake, That relay is from the botton row, there's no 3 position on second row. Only 4 and 6 starting from the left.. Car still the same could not find that relay you told me next to the oil filter.. Call VW dealer for the info. but they put me on hold and got disconnected..Tanks for your help..

There are two rows of relays on the main panel & up to two more rows of add-on relays above that. The ECM power supply relay is the second row above the fuses, third from the left. The upper row is relay 1-6, the lower row is 7-12. The speed sensor is what I was describing to the left (car's left) of the oil filter housing. It is very hard to see, but you can find the harness coming off of it and over towards the forward engine mount the back around to the trans bell housing. You may be better off looking from the underside.

There are two rows of relays on the main panel & up to two more rows of add-on relays above that. The ECM power supply relay is the second row above the fuses, third from the left. The upper row is relay 1-6, the lower row is 7-12. The speed sensor is what I was describing to the left (car's left) of the oil filter housing. It is very hard to see, but you can find the harness coming off of it and over towards the forward engine mount the back around to the trans bell housing. You may be better off looking from the underside.
On the secon row ,it only has two relays position #4 . 191 937 503 (18 on back) and position#6 . 1H0 953 227 ( 191 on back) Sould I have more than just two relays? I Check at a J. Yard ,97 wagon and on the second row it has more relays than my including the 109 relay.

There are two rows of relays on the main panel & up to two more rows of add-on relays above that. The ECM power supply relay is the second row above the fuses, third from the left. The upper row is relay 1-6, the lower row is 7-12. The speed sensor is what I was describing to the left (car's left) of the oil filter housing. It is very hard to see, but you can find the harness coming off of it and over towards the forward engine mount the back around to the trans bell housing. You may be better off looking from the underside.
Does this 97 passat VR6 has two oil filter???? or what is that cover next to the oil filter is ? It look just like the oil filter.....

Does this 97 passat VR6 has two oil filter???? or what is that cover next to the oil filter is ? It look just like the oil filter.....
Still could not find the sensor . Do I have to take intakemanifold out? I changed the fuel pump and still the same think ( used one).Any help?

Not every position will have a relay, it depends on what options your car has. Position three should have the ECM relay I mentioned that was pretty universal. Otherwise something major has been changed, perhaps try putting one in there. There is only one oil filter, it is a cartrige type right at the bottom front of the engine. There is a hex plug to drain the filter, then unscrew the plastic lower cover to get to the filter. While you're there look about 6-8" to the left (car's left) of the houising & the sensor wire can be seen coming from the area between the engine & transmission. I tend to think the problem is elsewhere though.

Not every position will have a relay, it depends on what options your car has. Position three should have the ECM relay I mentioned that was pretty universal. Otherwise something major has been changed, perhaps try putting one in there. There is only one oil filter, it is a cartrige type right at the bottom front of the engine. There is a hex plug to drain the filter, then unscrew the plastic lower cover to get to the filter. While you're there look about 6-8" to the left (car's left) of the houising & the sensor wire can be seen coming from the area between the engine & transmission. I tend to think the problem is elsewhere though.
Tanks for helping me , I saw a cover just over the oil filter that looks like the oil filter cover ( it's horizontal though) and I was wandering. I'm doing everything you're telling me to do and I just could not find that relay. I see the wire but it's to tight and I can see the relay. What else do you think could it be?.. I changed the fuelpump(used) fuel filter, spar-plugs and the wires(all new), the coil pack(used) and the brain ( also used) and still the same problem. The brake lights is on and check engine is on and sometimes it goes off.. Could it be a relay or a sensor that has something to do w/ the temperature cause when the car reachs 200F degrees (that's as hot it gets) which it takes just about 15/20 minutes to get that hot , that's when it stalls..Than I have to let it cool down for about anther 15/20 minutes to start it again.Thanks again. I'm realy learning something.

As I said I would start wit that ECM relay. Next I would try checking the engine speed sensor. If you can find the harness there is a connector you can check resistance at. You can compare readings from running to when it dies to see if there is a change. Did you ever have the codes read?

As I said I would start wit that ECM relay. Next I would try checking the engine speed sensor. If you can find the harness there is a connector you can check resistance at. You can compare readings from running to when it dies to see if there is a change. Did you ever have the codes read?

Ok, I did find the speed sensor , took the screw out, tried pulling it out but could not unless I use some kind of force and I'm afraid to brake it . Is there a way to pull it out or just force it out? I took the car to a mech. (specialized in VW) and he told me its the camshaft sensor . Is that the same as the speed sensor? I asked where is the sensor and he pointed to the same location as the speed sensor...Thanks for your reply.

I got it, I got it..... Thanks, it really worked. It was the sensor you told me . The speed sensor. You just don't know how gratefull I am.. Thanks again.. Put a new one today, about 1pm and so far it still running.. You are a real good man...

As I said I would start wit that ECM relay. Next I would try checking the engine speed sensor. If you can find the harness there is a connector you can check resistance at. You can compare readings from running to when it dies to see if there is a change. Did you ever have the codes read?
Here i'm again . As I told you, it's working now . You were right it was the speed sensor . Now, what makes the speed sensor goes bad??. I put a new one ($206.00) and I don't wanna to go bad again.. Thanks..

Nothing in particular makes them go bad. Unfortunately yours didn't just die, once it got hot it lost connection internally. I've seen it happen on a few other cars.